Early voters in North Carolina, most of whom were black, were heckled and mocked by McCain supporters as they their cast their ballots Sunday. According to Washington Times reporter Christina Bellatoni primarily white McCain supporters shouted "terrorist" and complained that "Sundays are for church not voting"

Early voters in North Carolina, most of whom were black, were heckled and mocked by McCain supporters as they their cast their ballots Sunday. According to Washington Times reporter Christina Bellatoni primarily white McCain supporters shouted "terrorist" and complained that "Sundays are for church not voting"

While Obama has been the victim of a racist smear campaign, he made it worse by refusing on principle to condemn the racism of the Republicans. That gave the GOP the opening to escalate their rhetoric — to the extent that McCain-Palin rallies attract racists who denounce Obama as a “terrorist.”

The mainstream media have finally started to expose the McCain campaign for stoking anti-Obama hatred and racism. But there is another angle to this question that completely ignored.

The almost exclusive focus on what whites will and won’t do in the election has obscured the historic impact that African American voters hope to have. Black communities across the country are barely able to contain their pride, hope and exhilaration in an Obama presidency.

Typically, the most apolitical four hours of any day can be found on Black radio during comedic morning shows. But for months, these shows have been imploring people to register to vote — and they’ve now shifted to get-out-the-vote campaigns. There are daily reports on the state of the campaign and constant mocking of the McCain-Palin ticket.

There are other signs of a massive Black turnout on November 4. In Georgia, of the 150,000 people who have already cast ballots early, almost 40 percent were African American. The long primary season resulted in millions more voters being registered, and many of them are Black. Moreover, African Americans feel as if they have a stake in the election, which in turn will create even more community pressure to get everyone out to vote.

This is why the McCain-Palin campaign has turned to a focus on suppressing the vote by raising questions about the community organization ACORN and its voter registration drive.

In all likelihood, none of these desperate measures will work. In many ways, the upcoming election is a referendum on race and racism in the U.S. The likely victory of Barack Obama won’t end racism in America. That will be the job of ordinary people — Black, Brown and white — organizing in struggle to press for their demands.

But an Obama victory will certainly indicate how much ideas and consciousness of regular Americans — the vast majority of working-class people — have changed in the last 40 years.

While Obama has been the victim of a racist smear campaign, he made it worse by refusing on principle to condemn the racism of the Republicans. That gave the GOP the opening to escalate their rhetoric — to the extent that McCain-Palin rallies attract racists who denounce Obama as a “terrorist.”

The mainstream media have finally started to expose the McCain campaign for stoking anti-Obama hatred and racism. But there is another angle to this question that completely ignored.

The almost exclusive focus on what whites will and won’t do in the election has obscured the historic impact that African American voters hope to have. Black communities across the country are barely able to contain their pride, hope and exhilaration in an Obama presidency.

Typically, the most apolitical four hours of any day can be found on Black radio during comedic morning shows. But for months, these shows have been imploring people to register to vote — and they’ve now shifted to get-out-the-vote campaigns. There are daily reports on the state of the campaign and constant mocking of the McCain-Palin ticket.

There are other signs of a massive Black turnout on November 4. In Georgia, of the 150,000 people who have already cast ballots early, almost 40 percent were African American. The long primary season resulted in millions more voters being registered, and many of them are Black. Moreover, African Americans feel as if they have a stake in the election, which in turn will create even more community pressure to get everyone out to vote.

This is why the McCain-Palin campaign has turned to a focus on suppressing the vote by raising questions about the community organization ACORN and its voter registration drive.

In all likelihood, none of these desperate measures will work. In many ways, the upcoming election is a referendum on race and racism in the U.S. The likely victory of Barack Obama won’t end racism in America. That will be the job of ordinary people — Black, Brown and white — organizing in struggle to press for their demands.

But an Obama victory will certainly indicate how much ideas and consciousness of regular Americans — the vast majority of working-class people — have changed in the last 40 years.

A young, white, female McCain supporter and volunteer claimed that she was mugged at an ATM by a 6'4" black man, and that when he saw the McCain bumper sticker on her car, he beat her up and carved a "B" on her face for "Barack".

Turns out it was all a lie. But McCain and Palin milked it for all it was worth, and the McCain campaign even embellished the story themselves.

quote:A Republican attack ad invites viewers to "meet the real Ashwin Madia," but the still photos featured in the spot present a noticeably darker version of the 3rd District DFL congressional candidate.

"At least three of the photos of Madia were obviously darkened, using one method or another," public affairs and media consultant Dean Alger told KARE 11.

Originally posted by Michelle:[b]A young, white, female McCain supporter and volunteer claimed that she was mugged at an ATM by a 6'4" black man, and that when he saw the McCain bumper sticker on her car, he beat her up and carved a "B" on her face for "Barack".[/b]

The best part, for those who missed it, was that the B was backwards. [img]tongue.gif" border="0[/img]

Those who attempt to discredit the Bradley Effect are, in reality, seeking to declare racism in America a non-issue, unworthy of further attention. They have seized on Barack Obama's campaign as proof that Black agitation is outdated and even harmful to the national interest.

I just found something that makes the assassination plot against Barack Obama much much weirder.

quote:Brian A. Weaks, an ATF special agent and a lead investigator in the case, said in a court affidavit unsealed Monday that the two men had hoped to carry out the assassination -- by driving their vehicle at top speed and firing high-powered rifles at Obama from their car windows -- in a grand style.

[b]"Both individuals stated that they would dress in all-white tuxedos and wear top hats during the assassination attempt,"[/b] Weaks said. "

Originally posted by Doug:[b]I just found something that makes the assassination plot against Barack Obama much much weirder.[/b]

Yeah, after reading about those two clowns, I've come to the conclusion that their chances of succeeding, had they not been caught, would have been about nil.

The way the president of the U.S. is protected nowadays, an assassination plan would have to be meticulously developed by skilled and intelligent plotters. From the sound of it, these two jokers would have a difficult time robbing a convenience store.

I have done some work in the anti-racism world. The number 8 and 14 have important meanings to neo-nazis.

So when I read that in the assasination plot they planned to kill 102 peoplewhich is 88 plus 148 when looked at as the eighth letter of the alphabet is Hso HH or heil hitler14 refers to the 14 word oath,"We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children."

The arrested are sicko fucks but what is worse they are neo nazi scum as well

quote:Interesting anecdote and probably a testament to ground organization. I have no idea what this means. Friday night (which happens to be the start of our Sabbath) my wife answered the phone to hear a man stating he was from the McCain-Palin campaign. He asked who she was supporting. She replied that we will vote for Obama. He replied with "but he's a f-----g n---er!"....My wife and I are Black.

Apologies for the long quote, but a friend of mine from Pittsburgh sent me this moving Open Letter from some women in the area where the hoax attack was alleged to have occurred and I couldn't find it posted anywhere on the Internets.

quote:An Open Letter to Ashley Todd

Dear Ashley,

It sounds like you've had a helluva week. Sorry that you had such an unwelcoming introduction to Pittsburgh. Following your interrogation, the police reported that you were "upset with the media" for turning this hoax into a "political firestorm." As some of the ladies of Bloomfield, we'd like to take this opportunity to step up and tell you how the "political firestorm" you instigated directly affected the community we live and work in.

Many of us are low-income, but our neighborhood is hardly the "wrong side" of Pittsburgh. This might be hard for you to recognize, coming from an exclusive Texas University, but we are a strong working-class community full of families, students and seniors who work hard and take care of one another. If you don't believe us, just come out to Nico's Recovery Room on game day sometime and see for yourself.

We've worked hard to respond to racism, violence and poverty in our neighborhood. Bloomfield is a diverse community and the fear that you created by concocting a story of politically-motivated violence has made it harder for us to trust each other and see value in the differences around us. Word gets around fast when someone is hurt in our community and it's awfully scary to think that someone here could be targeted and attacked for their political beliefs.

Being poor and middle class women, most of us have also had our own experiences with sexual assault and violence. Having dealt with such a high-profile hoax, will our police officers be less likely to trust us now if we approach them about a sexual assault? Our police department has not had a sterling record when it comes to dealing with victims of sexual or domestic violence. (See, for example, the department's history of lax responses to officers accused of abusing their partners or spouses.) Your false accusations have made it more difficult for us to be heard and believed when we go to the police about abuse or assault.

Ashley, we hear that when you were in crisis, you did not seek any medical attention, even though you were just blocks away from two different hospitals. Maybe, like us, you don't have good health insurance. Many of us have struggled to get medical care. We've gone to collections agencies because we couldn't pay our medical bills. We've toughed it out through illnesses. We've ignored our own depression or trauma because we couldn't afford mental health treatment. We think that everyone in our neighborhood deserves quality medical care that addresses both their physical and mental health needs.

In conclusion, Ashley, you've done a lot of damage to our community and we just want to take an opportunity to speak our piece. We will not tolerate race or politically-based fear mongering in our neighborhoods. Let there be no violence against women in our community. May everyone get the health care that they need - yinz included.